Is the value of teaching and learning music an inarguable topic? By fostering open dialogue and curiosity, we can engage communities, inspire critical thinking, and strengthen the case for music as an essential part of every student’s education.
by Kathleen Staten
Being an influential figure in your community as a music education teacher involves advocating for the arts and promoting your program. Get ideas on how to strengthen your presence in your community and enhance your student’s experiences.
by Marty Lenard, Ph.D.
The question, “Should kids have to take music?” recently sparked a wave of responses online and in writing by many top thought leaders in our community after it was posed in a Scholastic magazine article for children. With all best intentions, they vehemently defended music education as non-negotiable. As a music educator, I understand the instinct to protect something so vital to our culture and to our kids’ development. But, let’s consider: Why are we afraid to have this conversation?
Instead of teaching kids and communities to explore why music matters – we can get into a pattern of telling them how to think. Are we missing a chance for a valuable dialogue about what makes for an impactful education? On top of that, perhaps we’re thrusting music into the place of becoming a divisive topic instead of its universal standing as an expression of human experience.
What if, instead, we welcomed the question as an opportunity? By fostering open discussion and encouraging curiosity, we can not only strengthen the case for music education but also prepare the next generation to think critically and advocate passionately for the arts. After all, Science and Music are linked throughout the history of education and most recently in STEAM, and Science is all about discovery through questions.
It’s understandable that many of us may feel like we need to defend music education. The profession can often feel undervalued, under-supported, and under-appreciated by schools and communities. Instead of asking Scholastic to retract the question, what if we invited them to partner with us? Imagine the impact they could have in sparking curiosity and dialogue among their young readers about the importance of music education.
Inviting people into the conversation fosters curiosity, ownership, and learning. Questions aren’t a threat—they’re an opportunity to engage, teach, and inspire. As knowledge bearers, we have the chance to model thoughtful, open discussions about why music is a core subject, one that enriches lives now and for a lifetime. Let’s have that conversation!
About the Author
Kathleen Staten is a music educator, advocate, and business leader with a passion for fostering thoughtful dialogue about the arts and education. With years of experience both in the classroom and as a community arts leader, she brings a unique perspective that bridges traditional teaching values with innovative approaches to learning. Kathleen is deeply committed to the intersection of old and new—grounding her work in the classical wisdom of the Socratic method while embracing forward-thinking concepts like human-centered design and STEAM education. She believes that meaningful conversations and curiosity-driven learning are key to shaping the future of music education and beyond.
Manager
Before joining West Music as the Manager of Music ConstructED, Kathleen’s career encompassed 15 years of world-class performing as an oboist, six years in music education, including curriculum development and program building, and business leadership. Her favorite part of…
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